If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

I take a few continous loops of amsteel as other have suggested. Lately, I've been carring an extra set of tree huggers. I use these for my gear hammock/chair. I can also use this set when trees are too big around, too far a part or when I forget and leave my tree straps behind

I've just gotten some 2" wide straps in and was wondering how short I can go. It Seems every time I keep short huggers on the bike I come across a campground with old growth trees. With regard to chain extenders / continuous loops and protecting the tree:

A) How much of the tree needs to be covered by the hugger, and what is the maximum can be covered by the amsteel chain? That is, when does the extender become just a rope around a tree?

B) When do we need to start stuffing extra sticks and tarp stakes under the amsteel to spread the load width-wise on the tree?

C) Regarding PSI: Does the thickness of the hugger make a difference to (A)? For example, given a very large tree that requires the use of chain extensions, can 2" huggers be shorter than 1" huggers because they spread the load laterally?

D) Where is the load distributed on the tree the most, at the sides or the back? Are there pinch points on the sides of the tree? If so, will two *very* short huggers connected by a short chain in the middle work best at protecting the tree? The idea being to spread out the weight at the pinch points on the side of the tree.

Thanks in advanced!!

Within these two words, be and becoming, your whole life is contained. ―Osho

But, visible marks and some abrasion will be on the sides of the tree and where the line is just tangent to the tree, rubbing on the bark as the hammock barely moves during the night. The adhesion of a loaded strap is great enough that the movement is within the strap. But cord is less adhesive and slides on the tree.

That's not theoretical. I've observed it. A big deal? Not for me to argue. Preventable? Easily, with a couple of found sticks or a few grams of a hard, thin, slick plastic stick between the tree and cord.

If you use amsteel to extend your tree straps, will that damage the tree bark?

Depends on how far around the tree the straps go. If you look at
SnoreMachine's drawing the far right shows the strap centered. As long as the straps come out past the tangent point for the addon to close the loop the straps will protect the tree. If the strap is too short to do that you are going to damage the tree. In that case either of the other two methods shown will reduce the damage by confining it to one side while keeping compression low on the back.